In a nation striving for open dialogue, citizen engagement, and democratic progress, the principles of civic space serve as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s evolving society. These guiding principles form the bedrock upon which citizens, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and policymakers work to foster an environment of free expression, participation, and accountability.
Central to the concept of civic space is the freedom of expression and association. Zimbabweans are entitled to express their opinions, engage in public discourse, and associate with groups of their choosing. This legal safeguard is enshrined within the Zimbabwe Constitution’s Declaration of Rights, precisely located in Chapter 4, Section 61. This fundamental principle encourages open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and the ability to collectively address societal challenges.
Civic space embodies the principle of inclusivity, ensuring that every citizen’s voice matters. It is from this realisation that the principle of ‘Leaving No One and No Place Behind’ was coined. Participation extends beyond casting votes during an election process—it includes involvement in decision-making processes, public consultations, and community initiatives. By involving citizens from various backgrounds, the aim is to create policies that resonate with the needs and aspirations of Zimbabwe’s diverse population.
Accountability is a central piece of civic space. Public officials and institutions are expected to be transparent in their actions, decisions, and resource allocation. This principle empowers citizens to hold those in power accountable for their actions, fostering a culture of trust between the government and the governed.
In an unsettling turn of events, attempts made by the public to hold the government accountable have taken a distressing path marred by harassment, intimidation, and censorship in the case of the media. The dynamics between the governed and the government have grown increasingly strained. A recent and alarming development fuelling is the enactment of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill 2022. This bill, upon enactment, would criminalise actions deemed “subversive activities” and “economic sabotage.” This development raises substantial apprehensions, as it could potentially be used to target CSOs, pressure groups, and activists among others that are critical of the government or advocate for much-needed social and economic changes.
The introduction of such legislation has sparked debates about the extent to which it could contribute to the restriction of civic space and hamper the role of CSOs in ensuring transparency and democratic values. As citizens and activists grapple with these challenges, the evolving relationship between governance and accountability remains at the forefront of public concern.
Civic space necessitates the protection of human rights. Citizens are entitled to basic rights, such as freedom from discrimination, access to education, healthcare, and more. Upholding human rights ensures that individuals can engage in civic activities without fear of persecution, enabling a thriving civil society.
An essential component of civic space is the adherence to the rule of law. This ensures that legal frameworks are applied consistently, and no one is above the law. Judicial independence guarantees that citizens can seek recourse if their rights are violated, contributing to a just and fair society. However, alarming reports have emerged of individuals being arrested and detained without formal charges or under questionable circumstances, raising significant human rights concerns. A prominent case that underscores these issues is the prolonged detention of Job Sikhala, who has spent nearly a year behind bars.
Mr. Sikhala’s extended confinement without a clear legal basis has ignited debates over the extent to which citizens’ rights are being safeguarded within the judicial system. Advocates argue that such detentions without proper charges not only infringe upon individuals’ rights but also undermine the principles of justice and fairness.
Civic space acknowledges the significance of CSOs as essential actors in creating an open society. These organisations work to amplify citizens’ voices, advocate for rights, and promote social change. Ensuring the protection of CSOs is vital to maintaining a vibrant civic space.
The consequences of the shrinking civic space are already evident in the country, including a dilution of commitments to the rule of law, social accountability, good governance, and upholding democratic principles and values. An enabling operating environment is urgently required to facilitate the effective implementation of CSOs’ actions, which will have positive downstream multiplier effects on the communities they serve. A vibrant, strong, and free civil society is necessary to ensure sustainable development and provide incentives for democracy and good governance.
The majority of these challenges stem from a prevailing lack of comprehensive information concerning the geographic distribution, impact, and experiences of CSOs This deficiency undermines the effective consolidation and profiling of their narratives, impact, and overall legitimacy. These concerns were notably underscored by state actors during the Social Lab process conducted by NANGO under the Action to Protect and Enhance Civic Space in Zimbabwe (APECS) initiative.
In this regard, the APECS initiative seeks to enhance coordination and decision-making through the development and management of a comprehensive CSO database resulting from rigorous due diligence, profiling, and accreditation needs. This also requires strengthening CSO data protection protocols to safeguard sensitive data, managing data access permits, and capacity strengthening as part of decision-making tools and risk management.
Presently, leveraging the APECS initiative, NANGO has successfully engaged with diverse observer missions as the nation moves closer to the 2023 harmonised elections. These missions encompass renowned entities such as the European Commission, COMESA, Africa Council of Churches, ECF-SADC, and the Commonwealth Observer Group. Beyond observer missions, the association has also fostered connections with media platforms, including Newsroom Africa and SABC. Throughout these interactions, NANGO has shared pertinent issues contextualizing the nation’s electoral and civic space landscape, aiming for these matters and suggestions to reach other essential stakeholders such as the government and electoral institutions in forthcoming engagements.
Furthermore, the APECS initiative assumes the crucial role of monitoring and tracking instances of violence, intimidation, harassment, and arbitrary arrests. This vigilant focus extends particularly to incidents directly involving the civil society sector, pressure groups, activists, and human rights defenders, forming an integral assessment of their safety as elections draw near. The initiative’s scope also encompasses scrutinising media reports and narratives surrounding civil society, recognising its significance. The initiative is also tracking the number of non-state actors accredited to participate during the 2023 harmonised elections as observers. One key incident to note is the refusal to approve the accreditation of Zimbabwean lawyer and human rights activist, Dr. Musa Kika by The Zimbabwe Election Commission.
In December 2022, the Zimbabwean government took a significant step by establishing a Structured Dialogue Platform that convenes creditors and development partners. This establishment aims to institutionalise structured dialogues regarding economic and governance reforms integral to arrears clearance and debt resolution. Within this framework, the participation of the civil society sector remains under watchful observation. This inclusive platform presents an opportune avenue for the APECS initiative to highlight challenges tied to Zimbabwe’s civic space and formulate effective resolutions.
